Buying advice - ready to buy *now*

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Your choices are the regular Prius (Prius Liftback) or the Prius v (which can hold more cargo in terms of volume). The extra length (6") may help with a rear facing child seat (so the front seat doesn't need to be scooted up as far). It ran from 2012-2017 with the midlife update for 2015 (new bumpers, new headlights, new taillights, different 16" wheel covers and slightly updated interior. Also, that's when they added more crash protection for the driver to pass the driver side small overlap crash test. Lastly, the 2015-2017 models with LED headlights scored the "GOOD" for headlight illumination and glare by IIHS). Should still be good for a solid 40mpg (officially rated at 44/40/42 back then). It has the same 1.8 litre engine as the 3rd generation Prius (but oddly enough, no oil burning problems noted... a good thing I guess??). The final drive ratio is shorter to account for the heavier body (to at least get decent acceleration) so mpg suffers a bit (40mpg vs 47-50mpg). You do sit about 1" higher in the driver's seat than the 2010-2015 Prius Liftback.

Plug-in Prius (2012-2015) will say "plug-in hybrid" on the outside (fenders as well as rear) so you can avoid those.

For a regular Prius, the consensus is that the 2nd generation (2004-2009) Prius is the most bulletproof (since that's when Toyota was proving that hybrids are reliable and that's also the generation that most taxi companies started using) except for one minor thing (see last line of this paragraph). It's officially rated at 110 system net hp (about 100hp at the wheel). Get a 2007-2009 cause that's when side airbags and side curtain airbags were made standard (better side crash safety rating). Also pick one with a backup camera so you get the higher resolution 7" LCD screen. Leather was available from 2006 onwards but no heated seats. Avoid models with HID headlights as they have been problematic.

If you want something newer, the 3rd generation ran from 2010-2015. So far, the 2010s are the ones that appear to be burning oil but we haven't heard from anyone who has a 2011 or newer. Generally they seem to appear after 100,000 miles (mine is below that so that might explain why I'm not burning any oil ... yet). LED headlights were available on the V/Five trim levels. This generation got a larger 1.8 litre engine with more torque for better passing power on the highway (not talking anywhere close to fast but it's nice to have just that little bit extra power). Officially rated at 134 system net hp.

2012 is when the 3rd generation Prius got its midlife update (lots of minor stuff upgraded/updated). It's also the range of years when an LCD screen was made standard again (2010-2011 used the old school radio interface unless you had navigation). 6.1" for lower trims (with or without nav), 7" higher resolution for those with the upgraded nav. A power driver's seat was made available for 2012 onwards. Also note that leather was substitute for SofTex (synthetic) on higher trim levels.

 

You're welcome.

If going with an older model, budget for a hybrid battery replacement (about $2-3k including labour but not taxes. Double check with your dealers). The idea is that if the interior (and engine) is in good condition, a new battery will breathe life into the car again and it'll be like driving an almost new Gen 2 (one of the members in Australia did that and can affirm). Of course the cheaper option is to go to a scrapyard to look for a second hand one but given that you have a family, I assume you prefer something new with a warranty and is reliable. If you're in the OC, you probably have a lot of options (I mean California has a lot of Prii) so hopefully you'll find something that fits your budget.

If you need help, @DianneWhitmire has been serving PriusChat members for over 10 years. She recently moved to South Coast Toyota at Laguna Niguel Dianne Whitmire at South Coast Toyota in Costa Mesa on Harbor Blvd | PriusChat She usually deals with new car sales (and I don't know how things work in the US) but perhaps she can help locate a used car?


P.S. That Corvette sounds like a hell of a car!